MEP Marlene Mizzi today voted in favour of the European Parliament's resolution on the negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and the US. "I think that this agreement - if and only if negotiated properly - could be of benefit to our economies and could open up new opportunities for Maltese companies, especially small and medium-sized ones," said MEP Marlene Mizzi shortly after the vote in the Parliament. MEP Mizzi continued by saying that the vote today was not a "Yes or No" vote on TTIP, which will come at a much later stage, but instead only outlined the main conditions of the European Parliament for a good agreement.
"Having said that, however, EU needs to be extra cautious and to ensure that European Values are properly defended in the talks and in the final agreement. Such values cover well-established precautionary principles, consumer protection, safeguarding EU food and healthy safety standards and high environmental standards, as well as providing strong protection of labor rights and of public services.
"Civil society, NGOs and a significant number of European citizens have voiced major concerns that this agreement could threaten fundamental EU regulations and in my opinion most of the concerns are justified and legitimate. The position voted by Parliament, which was adopted today, provided a unique opportunity for MEPs to influence the negotiations and to address all these concerns," said Labour MEP Mizzi.
“Ever since the Commission has opened the negations with the US, I have constantly argued that the main outcome of those negotiations should lead to a deep, comprehensive, ambitious, high-standard, free-trade and investment agreement, that respects and promotes European values, stimulates sustainable growth and the creation of high-quality jobs and contributes to the well-being of all European citizens, by placing their interest at the heart of the TTIP trade deal.”
MEP Mizzi tabled a number of amendments to the Parliament position in order to ensure that Maltese and European interests are properly safeguarded and taken into account during the ongoing negotiations. One of the amendments specifically referred to guaranteeing the protection of Services of General Interest, so that services such as water, health and education remain in control of Member States and not at the whim of big American multinational companies. In the interest of SME´s Mizzi tabled an amendment asking the Commission to include a specific SME chapter to facilitate participation in transatlantic trade and reduce costs for SMEs, thus eliminating double certification requirements and establishing a one-stop-shop information system for SMEs. This is of particular importance for the economy of Malta, which is dependent mainly on small and micro-enterprises.
"European economies are still facing significant economic and social challenges and are still recovering, I believe that it is crucial to explore the potential of every opportunity that can help Europe in its long-term recovery from the economic crisis. But at the end, I will only give my consent to an agreement that respects and promotes European values, the well-being of all European citizens and the interest of Malta", said MEP Mizzi.